Why human editors remain essential in the age of AI

Since the introduction of AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, you may wonder whether hiring a human proofreader or editor is still worth the investment.

The short answer? It is.

From tone and clarity to ethics and accuracy, human editors offer what AI simply can’t – insight, context and judgement. Here's why having your work reviewed by a human offers several key advantages:

Complex information

AI tools are capable of identifying surface-level grammatical errors with incredible efficiency. However, they often struggle with context, subject-matter expertise and the subtleties of language. They are programmed to analyse language structures and identify any inconsistencies. They cannot understand intent, nuance or what you are actually trying to say.

A human editor brings real-world experience that goes beyond grammar and spelling, applying practical insight to ensure your content fulfils its purpose and meets the needs of your audience. This insight encompasses understanding the level of detail required to effectively explain a concept, determining the optimal length of a piece to maintain engagement, and structuring the layout to support clarity and learning.

AI can falter with cultural nuances, local expressions and dialects, which it may misinterpret or flag as errors. Importantly, due to its reputation for making erroneous suggestions, AI should not be used to fact-check critical information. A human editor, with a higher level of contextual awareness and informed judgment, can ensure your message is accurate, clear, cohesive and appropriate for your readers.

Additionally, a human editor can identify potential legal or ethical issues, such as libel, copyright infringement or insensitive images or text, that AI may overlook. These oversights can have serious consequences, ranging from reputational damage to legal action; therefore, having a human review your content can help you avoid the fallout of an accidental violation.

Individuality

An AI-written piece can often sound generic, flat and formulaic. Human editors can provide insights and reasoning behind any edits, helping you to learn and grow as a writer while maintaining your unique style. They can sensitively enhance your writing just enough to improve the grammar, clarity and readability while respectfully leaving the natural-sounding elements that are unmistakably yours. The result is – your writing, only sharper, clearer and more effective.

The art of writing

Humour is a great example of where writing requires a human touch. Comedy relies on timing, tone, context and an understanding of audience expectations – none of which AI truly grasps. It might reword a joke into something grammatically tidy, removing the humour or charm in the process. If your writing includes wit, wordplay or sarcasm, a human editor can ensure your humour lands as intended.

Additionally, creative writing is an art form that pushes the boundaries of conventional grammar and language. The only rule an editor would have you firmly adhere to is that the text needs to make sense to readers. Consider a book where a character speaks in a strong accent or uses regional or historical dialect. Non-standard syntax, vocabulary or grammar can be used to reflect that character's voice, bringing them to life on the page.

Similarly, a historical writer might choose to incorporate Olde English spelling in selected sentences. A human would immediately understand the purpose of this, whereas AI would simply flag them as errors, failing to grasp the nuance and meaning.

ChatGPT is capable of defining 'artistic license' in the context of grammatical rules…

"Artistic license refers to the intentional bending or breaking of standard grammatical rules for stylistic or expressive purposes."

...yet, cannot effectively apply it to real-world editing tasks.

Context and clarity

Even grammatically correct text occasionally requires adjustment. A human editor can identify unintended meaning, subtle inconsistencies or phrasing that could confuse – or worse, offend – your readers. For example, consider the following sentence:

"12 roles available, some of which might work for graduates."

At first glance, I imagined twelve bread rolls – some of them working for graduates! In reality, the text refers to employment positions that may be suitable for graduates. While this misunderstanding was harmless and could be understood with a second read, it did leave an impression on me about the company. A skilled human editor ensures your message is clear, unambiguous and precise.

Emotional intelligence

Humans can recognise the emotional impact of words and phrases and adjust them appropriately. They can ensure that writing feels empathetic, sensitive and appropriate for the subject matter while aligning with the writer's intent. Whether the goal is to sound empathetic, professional, persuasive or encouraging, a human can tailor the language to suit the emotional context and target audience.

Confidentiality

Using AI for confidential or sensitive documents, particularly in the fields of healthcare or law, poses significant privacy risks. AI tools are not accountable for how your information is used or stored. With a human editor, there is more control and a clear ‘paper trail’ of who has had access to your document. Professional editors are often bound by confidentiality agreements or codes of ethics, providing an added layer of assurance that your sensitive material is being treated with the discretion and care it deserves.

Quality control

The spelling of names, official titles and proper nouns requires careful attention from proofreaders. AI is programmed to simply correct what it thinks is a mistake, whereas a proofreader will carefully consider the context and query anything that seems unusual instead of arbitrarily changing it. A human proofreader is unlikely to try to 'correct' the spelling of your own name!

Another aspect requiring careful attention is ensuring that hyperlinks direct readers to the intended location and that information is cross-referenced effectively. For example, if the text reads “see Chapter 2” or “refer to the table on page 7”, navigating to these locations should direct readers to the intended content. AI cannot currently perform these checks reliably, as it lacks the ability to interpret information in the same way a human can.

Final thoughts  AI tools can be helpful for quick checks or brainstorming exercises, but if you're looking to ensure clarity, accuracy and nuance, nothing beats a trained human eye. When you work with a human editor, you're getting a real person who is invested in your work, responsive to your needs and open to feedback. Their edits are thoughtful, tailored and grounded in human experience, rather than simply following a generic language model.

As AI continues to develop, the importance of maintaining a human presence 'in the loop' cannot be overstated. Although AI tools can make impressive contributions, they are also prone to making critical errors. Human quality control is essential to maintain the accuracy, context and integrity of your message. Human-specific expertise, ethical judgement and reasoning remain fundamental to high-quality communication.